Traction table



Dec. 23, 1958 D. L. SORENSON TRACTION TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. s, 1956 INVENTOR. Dean L. Sorenson Dec. 23, 1958 D. 1.. soRENsoN TRACTION TABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Deon L. Sorenson Filed Jan. 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Df/IN L. Smear/501v flrraews v.5

D. L. SORENSON TRACTION TABLE Dec. 23, 1958 Filed Jan. 3, 1956 United States PateritO 2,865,367 TRACTION TABLE Dean L. Sorenson, Seattle, Wash. Application January 3, 1956, Serial No. 557,006 4 Claims. (Cl..128-71) This invention relates to improvements in traction tables. More particularly it has reference to tables of those types on which the patient is supported in a prone or supine position, for the mechanical application of traction to the spinal or other portions of the body for treating or relievingicertainphysical disorders.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a mechanical traction table of the. abovecharacter embodying novel improvements that make possible a better control of theapplication of traction in respect to amount; the timing of the interval of its application, versatility and various safety features.

More specifically stated, the objects and advantages of .the;present-invention reside inrthe provisionof a machine or mechanism including means whereby traction can be applied for varying and predetermined intervals, and in varying amounts between the maximum and minimum amounts provided-and whereby the traction can be released at any .time under the .will of the patient or operator of the machine.

.Further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction, and combination of parts embodied in the machine, and in its mode of use, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, Ihave providedthe improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tractiontable embodying the improvements of the present invention therein and illustrating its mode of use by a patient receiving treatment.

Fig. 2 is a top, or plan view of the traction table, with portions of its top sections broken away to show the arrangement of operating parts and controls located beneath the top sections.

.Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, taken ina vertical plane lengthwise of the table, substantiallyon line 3- 3 in .Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the movable table top section, taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 2, particularly illustrating its roller mountings.

.Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus for effecting the application, regulation and control of the application of traction through use of thetable mechanism, together with a wiring diagram for the electrically controlled device.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present traction table, which is designated in its entirety in Fig. l by reference numeral 10, comprisesa rigid main frame structure, fabricated, for the mostpart, from channel and angleiron bars, and, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, having a horizontal top structure comprising longitudinal, opposite side members 1.l-11, joined across their opposite ends by transverse members 12-12; these parts preferably being inwardly facing channel iron bars. This top structure is supported at a predetermined, and suitable working height by legs 13 located at'its :four corners; these being joined and braced between their lower end portions by longitudinal and transverse angle 'bars designated at 14. and 15, respectively. All .parts are welded or otherwise suitably secured together to give the frame structure the necessary rigidity.

Mounted upon the horizontal top structure :of the :main

"ice

frame, are the patient supporting table top sections 20 and 21, each of which sections comprises a pad or cushion mounted upon a flat bed plate :as best shown'in Fig. "3. The section 20 comprisesthe bed plate 20a and cushion 2012. This section extendsto abouttwo-thirds "the'length of the table from thehead end and it isupon this that'the head and body portion of the patient is ordinarily'disposed during treatment, as has been illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. The plate 20a is .herein shown to be fixedly secured to the opposite side beams 1111 and to afhea'd beam 12, by bolts 22.

The section 21 is at the same level as the section 20 and comprises the bed plate 21a and cushion 21b'mounted thereon. The plate 21a is bolted'or otherwise fixedto a horizontally disposed rectangular frame shown in Fig. 2 to comprise rigidly joined opposite side rails 2323, and opposite end rails 23-23. This frame is contained between the opposite side rails 1111 of the top structure and supported for reciprocal movement in itslongitudinal direction; being supported by a plurality of rollers 24 mounted on the side rails 2323 thereof for rolling travel on and between the flanges of the channel beams 1111 of the main frameas shown best in Fig.4.

Adjustably fixed to the head end of the top frame structure is a body anchoring bracket 25. This com prises a horizontalleg portion -25a-that is'slidablyadjustable in an endwise direction in guide bearings 26- 26 fixedin the centrallongitudinal line of themain frame to the end cross-beam 12 and a transverse brace bar 27 extended between the side rails 11-1"1,:inwardly spaced from the cross-beam 12. At the outer end of thebracket is an upwardly directed vertical post 25b. Adjustable along-this post is asleeve 28 and to:this alhorizontal cross-arm 29 is centrally pivotally fixed by.a vertical bolt 30. At its ends, the cross-arm is equipped :with hooks, 31-3l, to which the opposite side :members of the patients head halter 32 maybe applied, as has been illustrated in Fig. 1.

The leg 25a of the bracket is provided. at spaced intervals therealong with holes 33 through which a pin 34 may :be applied, as has been shown best in Fig. 3, to engage the outer end. of the bearing26 to.hold the bracket at a set positionof adjustment best suited to -.the patient, and against the inward pull ortraction exerted through the action of the movabletop section, 21, as will presently be explained.

Likewise, adjustably fixed to the .frameof the movable top section 21 is a bracket 35. This comprises a horizontal leg portion 35a that.is slidable endwisein a-sleeve 36 extended lengthwise ,of the main :frame and fixed.to the outer end rail 23 and an intermediate cross-rail 37.0f the reciprocable frame. .Atits outer endthe bracket .35 has an upwardly directed post 35b, and .on this .aysleeve 38 is vertically adjustable. Pivotally mounted between its ends on the sleeve 38, by a vertical pivot pin 39, isa cross-arm 40 and thisis equipped at its ends with hooks 41 to which adjustable ankle straps l2,42 may be attached as shown in Fig. 1.

Treatment of the patient,is accomplished through ,the intermittent or periodical application .of traction or tension to the spinal or other section of theibody and this is effected by the controlled reciprocalmovements of the table top section21 from section20, after the patient has been placed on the table and;properly secured by the head halter and ankle straps or other devices tothe brackets 25 and '35, as shown in Fig. 1.

Reciprocal movements of the section 21 are mechanically'effected by the alternate application; and release of suction to a vacuum cylinder Stlwhich isyfixedly mounted in the main frame structure beneath the "movable end' section 21, on averticalpost 51"that-extends between and is rigidlyfixed at its ends to crosssmemhers 52 -ancl 53 of the main framestructure as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The vacuum cylinder 50 is of conventional form of construction, known as a booster cylinder, and contains a flexible diaphragm or piston 50d, as indicated in Fig. 5, joined pivotally by a connecting piston rod 54 to a vertical lever arm 55. The lever arm, as shown in Pig. 3, is fixed at its lower end by a pivot bolt 56 to a cross member 57 of the main frame and at its upper end it is operatively connected by a link 58, with the lower end of a rigid arm 59 that is fixed to and extends downwardly from the inner end rail 23 of the reciprocable top sec tion 21. The arrangement of parts is such that when suction is applied to one end of the vacuum cylinder 50, as will presently be fully explained, it draws the piston or diaphragm 50d inwardly, and through the levers and linkage described moves the table top section 21 endwise, away from the table top section 20, thus to apply traction to the patients body through connections made with the bracket 35.

For the application of vacuum to the cylinder 50, I provide a suction pump and motor unit designated in its entirety in Figs. 2 and 3, by numeral 60. This unit comprises an electric motor, designated at 60m in Fig. 5, v

and a pump designated in Fig. 5 at 60p and operated by the motor. The parts of this unit may be conventional and might be associated as a unit as shown or separately formed and then suitably connected.

The pump 60 is connected by a pipe line 62 with a vacuum tank 63 which has a pipe line connection 64 with the previously mentioned vacuum cylinder 50. Interposed in the pipe line 64, is a restrictor valve 65 and a solenoid valve 66. The restrictor valve is manually adjustable and makes it possible to more or less restrict the rate of application of suction therethrough. Its purpose is to prevent any too sudden or severe action of the cylinder 50. The solenoid valve 66 is so arranged that, upon being energized, it opens the pipe line 64 to provide for application of suction to cylinder 50, and upon being de-energized it automatically closes to retain Whatever vacuum there may be in the cylinder 50.

It is further shown in Fig. 5 that a suction pipe line 67 leads from pipe 64, at a point between the solenoid valve 66 and the vacuum cylinder 50, to a suction indicator or gauge 68, and a branch 67' from this leads to a suction controlled switch mechanism 69 shown quite schematically in Fig. 5. Likewise, another suction line 70 leads from pipe 64, through a solenoid valve 73 to a restrictor valve 74 which opens to atmosphere. Connected with pipe line 70 between pipe line 64 and valve 73, by pipe connection 72, is a solenoid valve 72.

A suction pipe 75 leads from pipe line 70 at a point between the valves 73 and 74 to a vacuum actuated switch mechanism designated in Fig. 5 in its entirety by numeral 78. Switches 69 and 78 are each under manually adjustable spring tension, as later explained, and open and'close in accordance with their settings at predetermined degrees of vacuum in the lines which connect therewith.

The solenoid valve 72 is normally open and provides an atmospheric connection with air line 70. It is so arranged, as indicated in Fig. 5, that upon being energized, it closes this atmospheric connection. When it is de-energized, it automatically adjusts itself to open the connection to atmosphere.

The solenoid valve 73 operates under control of an electric timer 79 which controls the periods of application of traction as will presently be described.

The electrical wiring for the machine is shown in connection with the diagram of Fig. 5. Electric current is brought to the apparatus through supply lines 80 and 81 and is applied through a main switch 82. From the switch 82, circuit lines 83 and 84 are extended and to these lines circuit connections 85 and 86 are made with terminals of the pump driving motor 60m. A pilot light 87 is here shown to be connected across the lines 83 and 84 adjacent the switch 82 as means to indicate to an operator whether the motor circuit is open or closed. This light 87 is located in a position where it can be easily seen by the machine attendant. As shown in Fig. 1, it is located on a panel 88 applied to the front wall of a housing which encloses the main frame structure of the machine.

Connected to the circuit lines 83 and 84, by circuit wires 90 and 91, is the normally open solenoid valve 72 previously mentioned. Likewise, connected to the cir cuit lines 83 and 84, by wires 93 and 94 is a relay 95. Interposed in the relay circuit connection 94 are the two vacuum actuated switches 69 and 78, previously referred to, which are vacuum and spring controlled.

A switch 98 is interposed in current supply line 84 adjacent the motor connection 86. This switch preferably is of pendant type with extension cord 98' which permits it to be handled by the patient in the manner indicated in Fig. l, in order that he might open the circuit to relieve the traction being applied at any time, as will later be explained.

The timer 79 whereby the extent of the periods of application of traction are regulated, has one terminal of its motor 79m connected by a circuit wire 99 to current supply line 83. Its other terminal has a circuit connection 100 with one contact of a pair of switch contacts, a and bxShOWn in Fig. 5 to be associated with the relay 95; the other contact of said pair of contacts being con-'- nected by a circuit wire 101 with circuit line 84 through a switch 102.

The coil 66 of solenoid valve 66 has one terminal connected by awire 105 with circuit line 83, and its other terminal connected by wire 106 with one contact of another pair of contacts, 0 and d, associated with the relay 95, the other contact of that pair being connected through circuit wire 107 with circuit line 84. The contacts of the timer 79, which timer is of conventional form, are manually adjusted to determine the time interval of traction application. These contacts are designated in Fig. 5 at e and 1. Contact e is connected through a wire 108 with circuit line 84. The contact 1 of the timer is connected by a wire 109 with one terminal of the coil 73' the solenoid valve 73 which has its other terminal connected by wire 110 with circuit line 83.

It is shown in Fig. 5 that the armature 95a of relay 95, in one position of its movement, provides an electrical connection between the paired contacts a and b to which circuit lines 100 and 101 connect. In its other position, it provides an electrical connection between the paired contacts 0 and d to which the wires 106 and 107 connect.

With the controls so arranged and electrically connected, the operation of the apparatus is as follows: Starting with the valve 66 closed, cylinder 50 open through valve 72 to atmosphere, valve 73 closed and the piston of the vacuum cylinder 50 in a normal position ready to be actuated by vacuum to apply tractive power to the table top section 21, and the patient being properly in position on the table as shown in Fig. 1, the manual clos ing of main switch 82 sets the motor 60m in operation to drive the pump 60p to draw vacuum in tank 63. When sufiicient vacuum has thus been drawn, the switch 98 is closed by the attendant or by the patient. This causes the circuit of the solenoid valve 72 to be closed and the valve to be energized and actuated to close off the atmospheric connection. Simultaneously, the relay 95 is energized through its connections 93 and 94; the latter including the switches 69 and 78 which are being held closed at that time under the predetermined tension of springs 123. The energizing of relay 95 causes its armature 95a to disengage contacts a and I], to open the circuit to the timer motor 79m, and to move against the contacts c and d and thus close the circuit to the coil of solenoid valve 66. The energizing of the solenoid valve 66 opens the valve and allows vacuum to be drawn in the cylinder V 50 through pipe line 64 under control of the restrictor valve 65. This operates to move the piston 50a. and causes the application of power through linkage 55, S8 and 59 to move the table top section 21 accordingly, thus to apply traction to the patient.

The, amount of traction applied by the cylinder 50 is determined by the amount of vacuum applied and this is controlled by adjustment of the spring tension of switch Amount of vacuum applied may be observed on the gauge 68. ,When vacuum in the cylinder overcomes the spring tension holding switch 69 closed, the switch 69 opens and this opens the circuit of relay 95. De-energization of the relay causes its armature 95a to move from contacts c and d thus to de-energize the solenoid valve 66, causing it to adjust itself to close the vacuum line 64 to the cylinder 50, and by the same armature movement to engage the contacts a and b to close the timer circuit and set the motor of timer 79 in motion. The manual setting of the timer determines the length of time the traction table remains under power and this period can be short or long up to the limits of the timer.

At the end of the adjustable time period, the contacts of the timer, designated at e and 1, close together and thus energize the closed solenoid valve 73 which then opens and thus allows atmospheric air to enter the line 70 through the adjustable restrictor valve 74, thence through valve 73 to refill the cylinder 50 at a rate determined by the setting of the restrictor valve, and allow it to return to normal position and the table top section 21 to move back to starting position under spring action. The relief of vacuum in line 70, and through lines 67 and 67', allows switch 69 to close.

The partial vacuum in line 70, as transmitted through pipe connection 75 to switch 78 after valve 73 is opened, is sufi'icient to hold the switch open, and thus keep the circuit to relay 95 open until the cylinder 50 has been refilled with air and the table top section 21 has returned to its starting position. Then switch 78 closes and the cycle of operations is thus completed.

Upon interruption of power at any time, under control of the patient as might be eflected by opening switch 98, the solenoid valve 72 is de-energized and automatically adjusts itself to open the suction line 70 to atmosphere.

It is further to be explained that the pressure electric switches 69 and 78 are of that type wherein a switch is urged to closed position by a spring that can be readily adjusted in tension, and is opened by suction applied to a cylinder wherein a piston is movable by suction to overcome the spring tension. In the present instance these switches are as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 5 wherein the movable switch member is designated by numeral 120, the cylinder by numeral 121, the piston by numeral 122, and the spring by numeral 123. Adjustment of spring tension is eff cted by connection of the spring at one end to a screw 124 that is threaded through the wall panel 88. In Fig. 1, the heads of the adjusting screw for switch 69 is designated by numeral 124a.

The switch 102 may be opened during a period of traction, to cause the timer motor circuit to be opened, and in this way an indefinite period of traction may be obtained.

It will also be mentioned here that slots, not herein shown, may be provided in the cushions of the top sections, at their ends, to better accommodate the patient for treatment when resting face downward.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A traction table having a frame and a top for the support of the body of the patient thereon in prone position; said top comprising a fixed head section and a foot section that is mounted for movement from and toward the fixed section, means at the head end of the table for securement of that end of the patients body thereto to sustain body traction, means on the movable section of the table for anchoring that end of the patients body thereto for the application of body traction by said 6 means, a source of vacuum, a cylinder fixed in the table frame, a piston in the cylinder, linkage operatively connecting the piston with the movable table top section for effecting its traction applying movements, a conduit leading from said source of vacuum to the said cylinder, a valve in said conduit adapted to be opened for application of vacuum to said cylinder, a vacuum relief valve in the conduit, adjustable means in the conduit for regulating the rate of application of vacuum to said cylinder, pressure regulated means for establishing the amount of vacuum drawn in the cylinder, and automatically operable for closing the said valve when said amount has been established, timing means operable to establish the time interval that traction is to be applied, and for opening the vacuum relief valve at the end of said time interval.

2. A combination as recited in claim 1 including also adjustable means for controlling the rate of relieving the vacuum from the cylinder, and spring means for return ing the piston and table section to which it is attached to normal position as the vacuum is relieved.

3. A traction table of the character described comprising a frame structure equipped with. a top for the support of a patient thereon in prone position; said top comprising a head end section that is fixed to the frame and a foot end section that is reciprocally movable therein from and toward the fixed section, means at the head end of the frame for anchoring that end of the patients body to sustain an application of traction, means on the movable top section to anchor the patients feet thereto for the application of body traction by the movement of that top section away from the other, a source of vacuum, a vacuum cylinder, a piston movable therein, means operatively connecting the piston with said movable top section for its actuation to effect an application of body traction, a conduit connecting the source of vacuum and the cylinder, a normally closed solenoid cut-off valve in the conduit, a normally open solenoid valve controlling an atmospheric inlet to said cylinder, electric circuits for said valves, a normally open pressure regulated switch in said circuits whereby the opening of the first solenoid valve causes the closing of the second to efiect the vacuumizing of the cylinder, and whereby the closing of the first valve to retain the vacuum. drawn in the r cylinder is controlled by said pressure regulated switch and a timing switch that is set in motion by the pressure regulated switch and operable to open the atmospheric inlet at the end of the traction period.

4. A traction table having a frame and a top for the support of the body of a patient thereon in prone position, relatively movable means at the head and foot ends of the table for anchoring the extremities of the patient thereto for an application of traction, a cylinder fixed in the frame, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting said piston and said traction applying means for their actuation, a source of vacuum, means for establishing a predetermined vacuum at said source, means operable automatically when said predetermined vacuum has been established for applying vacuum from said source to said cylinder to effect an application of traction to the patients body, adjustable means for establishing the amount of vacuum applied, means for controlling the duration of the period of application, adjustable means for regulating the rate of application of vacuum and adjustable means for regulating the rate of relieving said vacuum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 901,628 Langworthy Oct. 20, 1908 1,205,649 Miller Nov. 21, 1916 1,403,290 Catching Jan. 10, 1922 1,826,418 Bragg et al. Oct. 6, 1931 2,688,323 Miller Sept. 7, 1954 2,690,175 Daughtry Sept. 28, 1954 

